Device to orient a riser of a parachute

ABSTRACT

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No.16/274,408, filed Feb. 13, 2019, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A parachute is a device worn by a user that fills with air to allow theuser to descend slowly when dropped from an aircraft. The parachuteincludes a canopy that is usually made of a strong, light-weight fabricsuch as nylon. Suspension lines are attached to the canopy and spreadthe weight of the user across the canopy. A harness includes variousstraps and fittings to be secured to the user. Risers are secured to theharness and attach to the suspension lines at links.

The risers can be constructed from a webbing that includes a relativelylarge width. During descent, the webbing may cause drag as therelatively large width is exposed in the direction of travel. This dragmay reduce performance and/or reduce forward speed.

SUMMARY

One aspect is directed to a device to orient a riser of a parachute. Thedevice includes a twist body with a first side and an opposing secondside. A slot with an elongated shape extends through the twist body andincludes a first opening at the first side and a second opening at thesecond side. The slot includes a twist with the first opening beingtransverse to the second opening.

In another aspect, the device also includes a link with at least a firsthole to receive the riser and a second hole that is spaced away from thefirst hole.

In another aspect, the twist of the slot is 90 degrees.

In another aspect, the slot includes a major axis and the major axis atthe first opening is perpendicular to the major axis at the secondopening.

In another aspect, the twist of the slot is between 5 degrees and 180degrees between the first and second sides of the twist body.

In another aspect, the slot includes a width and a length that are eachconstant between the first opening and the second opening.

In another aspect, the twist of the slot is constant between the firstand second sides of the twist body.

In another aspect, a twisted hole extends through the twist body betweenthe first and second sides with a sectional area of the hole beingsmaller than the slot and with the hole being spaced away from the slot.

In another aspect, the hole is positioned a constant distance away fromthe slot throughout the twist body between the first and second sides.

In another aspect, at least one of the slot and the hole are containedwithin a sidewall of the twist body.

One aspect is directed to a device to orient risers of a parachute. Thedevice includes twist bodies positioned along the risers with each ofthe twist bodies including opposing first and second sides and a slotwith a twist between the first and second sides of between 5 degrees and180 degrees. The twist of each of the twist bodies is configured torotate the riser between a high profile position at one of the first andsecond sides and a low profile position at the other of the first andsecond sides.

In another aspect, the device includes links configured to attach therisers to suspension lines of the parachute with each of the linkshaving a first hole to receive one of the risers and a second hole toreceive one or more suspension lines of the parachute.

In another aspect, the twist of each of the twist bodies is equal.

In another aspect, the twist of each of the twist bodies is 90 degrees.

In another aspect, the slot of each of the twist bodies includes a majoraxis with the major axis at the first side of the twist body beingperpendicular to the major axis at the second side of the twist body.

In another aspect, each of the twist bodies further includes a twistedhole that extends through the twist body between the first and secondsides with a sectional area of the hole being smaller than the slot andwith the hole being spaced away from the slot by a constant distancethroughout the twist body.

One aspect is directed to a method of orienting a riser of a parachute.The method includes inserting a riser through a twist body such that theriser has a first orientation between a harness and the twist body witha high profile in a direction of travel and a second orientation betweenthe twist body and a link with a low profile in the direction of travel.The method includes attaching the riser to the link and securing theriser to suspension lines of the parachute.

In another aspect, the method includes rotating the riser between 5degrees and 180 degrees within the twist body.

In another aspect, the method includes rotating the riser 90 degreeswithin the twist body.

In another aspect, the method includes inserting the riser through aslot in the twist body.

In another aspect, the method includes inserting a cable through a holein the twist body.

In another aspect, the method includes orienting a first section of theriser that extends between the twist body and the link with a narrowedge of the riser facing in the direction of travel and orientating asecond section of the riser that extends between the twist body and theharness with a wide side of the riser facing in the direction of travel.

One aspect is directed to a device for use with a parachute. The deviceincludes a riser with an elongated shape with a first end and a secondend. A link includes opposing first and second sides and sidewalls thatextend between the first and second sides. The link includes a slot withan elongated shape that extends through the first and second sides andis sized to receive the riser. The link includes first and second holesthat each extend between the first and second sides with the first andsecond holes configured to receive a connector that attaches tosuspension lines of the parachute. The link includes a thicknessmeasured between the first and second sides that is less than a widthmeasured between opposing sidewalls at the slot.

In another aspect, the link includes a flattened shape with the firstand second sides being flat.

In another aspect, a straight line extends through a midpoint of each ofthe slot with the first hole, and the second hole, with the width of thelink being greatest at the straight line.

In another aspect, the slot includes a rectangular sectional shape toreceive the riser and the second hole comprises a rectangular sectionalshape to receive the connector. The first hole includes anon-rectangular sectional shape, with the second hole positioned betweenthe first hole and the slot.

In another aspect, the device includes a twist body with a first sideand an opposing second side, and a twisted slot that extends through thetwist body and includes a first opening at the first side and a secondopening at the second side with the slot including a twist with thefirst opening being transverse to the second opening.

In another aspect, the twist slot rotates 90 degrees.

In another aspect, the slot includes a major axis that is perpendicularto a centerline of the link.

In another aspect, an input hole in the link extends between the firstand second sides with the input hole being laterally offset from each ofthe slot, the first hole, and the second hole.

One aspect is directed to a device for use with a parachute. The deviceincludes a riser and a link. The link includes a narrow leading edgethat extends between opposing first and second sides. The link includesfirst, second, and third holes that are spaced apart and that extendthrough the link between the first and second sides with the holes beingspaced away from the leading edge. The first, second, and third holesare centered on a straight line that is spaced away from the leadingedge and that extends through the link at a maximum width of the link.The riser extends through one of the first, second, and third holes.

In another aspect, an input hole extends through the link between thefirst and second sides and that is spaced apart from the first, second,and third holes. The input hole is positioned between the leading edgeand the straight line.

In another aspect, wherein the third hole includes a rectangularsectional shape configured to receive the riser.

In another aspect, a twist body is positioned along the riser andincludes opposing first and second sides and a twist slot with a twistbetween the first and second sides of between 5 degrees and 180 degrees.

One aspect is directed to a method of attaching a riser to suspensionlines of a parachute. The method includes attaching a riser in a slot ina link with the riser extending outward from a bottom of the link witheach of the riser and the link being in a low profile orientation withnarrow leading edges facing into a direction of travel and wide sidestransverse to the direction of travel. The method includes attaching aconnector to a first hole in the link with the connector positioned at atop of the link and the connector being secured to the suspension linesof the parachute. The method includes inserting a tail of the connectorin a second hole in the link.

In another aspect, the method includes inserting the tail of theconnector in the second hole in the link with the second hole positioneddirectly between the slot and the first hole.

In another aspect, the method includes attaching an input device to aninput hole in the link, with the input hole being positioned closertowards a leading edge of the link than the slot.

In another aspect, the method includes attaching each of the riser, theconnector, and the end of the connector in a straight line along thelink.

In another aspect, the method includes positioning the leading edge ofthe link directly into the direction of travel.

In another aspect, the method includes positioning a section of theriser that is spaced away from the link in a high profile orientation.

In another aspect, the method includes attaching the riser in the slotin the link and contacting the riser against corners in the slot.

In another aspect, the method includes attaching each of the riser, theconnector, and the end of the connector to the link at a widest sectionof the link.

The various aspects of the various embodiments may be used alone or inany combination, as is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a device to orient risers on a parachutethat includes twist bodies.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a device to orient risers on a parachutethat includes twist bodies and links.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a harness with risers.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a section of a riser.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a first side of a twist body.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a second side of a twist body.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a twist body that includes atwisted slot and hole.

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a twist body positioned along ariser.

FIG. 6A is a schematic view of a riser.

FIG. 6B is a schematic view of a riser.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a link.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a link.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a twist body position along risers andwith links at the upper ends of each of the risers.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram of a method of orienting a riser of aparachute.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a device to orient risers on aparachute that includes links.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a link attached to a riser, a connectorwith suspension lines, and an input device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is directed to a device to orient a riser of aparachute. The device can include a twist body with a slot to receivethe riser. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of theriser. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to thesuspension lines on the canopy. The link can also be used alone withoutthe twist body to connect the riser to the suspension lines.

FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically illustrate deployed parachutes 10 thatinclude a canopy 11 with suspension lines 12. A harness 13 is configuredto be attached to payload as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, or worn bythe user (see FIG. 2). Risers 30 extend from the harness 13. FIG. 1Aincludes a device with twist bodies 20 positioned along one or more ofthe risers 30. The twist bodies 20 orient sections of the risers 30.FIG. 1B includes a device with twist bodies 20 and also links 40 thatconnect the risers 30 to the suspension lines 12. The twist bodies 20orient the risers 30, and the links 40 facilitate attachment of therisers 30 in the desired orientation to the suspension lines 12.

The risers 30 extend from the harness 13 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Frontrisers 30 extend upward and connect to the suspension lines 12 along thefront of the canopy 11. The back risers 30 extend and connect to thesuspension lines 12 along the rear of the canopy 11. As illustrated inFIG. 2A, the risers 30 are constructed from a flexible webbing materialthat includes first and second sides 31, 32 that extend between opposingedges 33, 34. The risers 30 include a width W measured between the edges33, 34. The risers 30 also include a thickness T measured between thefirst and second sides 31, 32. The width W of the risers 30 isconsiderably larger than the thickness T.

When the parachute 10 has a direction of travel as illustrated by arrowA in FIG. 2, the wide first sides 31 of the risers 30 are exposed torelative wind and produce drag on the parachute 10. To lessen the drag,the twist bodies 20 orient the upper sections of the risers 30 such thatone of the edges 33, 34 faces in the direction of travel. Thisre-orientation lessens the amount of drag caused by the risers 30.

Twist bodies 20 are positioned along one or more of the risers 30 tochange the orientation of the risers 30. Each twist body 20 can realignthe section of the riser 30 between the twist body 20 and the link 40such that one of the edges 33, 34 is oriented in a forward direction.This re-orientation reduces the air drag caused by the riser 30 duringthe descent.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a twist body 20 that includes opposing firstand second sides 21, 22. FIG. 3A illustrates the twist body 20 orientedwith the first side 21 facing upwards. FIG. 3B illustrates the twistbody 20 oriented with the second side 22 facing upwards. The twist body20 includes an outer sidewall 23 that extends between the first andsecond sides 21, 22. A slot 24 extends through the twist body 20 and iscontained within the sidewall 23. The slot 24 includes a length Lmeasured along a major axis between opposing first and second ends 25,26. The slot 24 is sized to receive the riser 30 and the length L isgreater than or equal to the width W of the riser 30. The twist body 20can include a tapered shape with an enlarged central section 53 thatnarrows to a first end 52. The first end 52 can include a smaller widthW than the central section 53. In one design, the first end 52 facesaway from the direction of travel during use.

The slot 24 includes a twisted shape as it extends through the twistbody 20 between the first and second sides 21, 22. The twist orients anopening at a first side 21 of the twist body 20 at a transverse anglerelative to an opening at a second side 22 of the twist body 20. In onedesign as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the slot 24 includes a twistof 90°. The major axis of an opening of the slot 24 at a first side 21of the twist body 20 is offset by 90° relative to the major axis of theopening of the slot 24 at the second side 22 of the twist body 20. Asillustrated in FIG. 3A, the opening of the slot 24 on the first side 21is aligned along a centerline X of the twist body 20. As illustrated inFIG. 3B, the opening of the slot 24 on the second side 22 isperpendicular to the centerline X. The extent of the twist controls there-orientation of the riser 30. One design includes a twist of 90°.Other designs can include a twist of between 5° to 180°.

The twist body 20 can also include a hole 27 for a cable to extend. Thehole 27 extends through the twist body 20 and includes openings on eachof the first and second sides 21, 22. The hole 27 includes a twist thatcorresponds to that of the slot 24 such that the position of the hole 27relative to the slot 24 remains the same. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3Aand 3B, the hole 27 remains positioned on one side of the slot 24 and atthe middle of the slot 24. The hole 27 can be at a constant distancefrom the slot 24 throughout the twist body 20 as each extends betweenthe first and second sides 21, 22. The hole 27 can also be positioned atother locations relative to the slot 24, including but not limited tothe opposing side of the slot 24, and in closer proximity to one of theends 25, 26. The hole 27 can include a smaller sectional size than theslot 24.

FIG. 4 illustrates a twist body 20 with a twisted slot 24 and a hole 27.The hole 27 follows the slot 24 through a twist of 90 degrees. The slot24 and the hole 27 remain in a common relative relationship through thethickness of the twist body 20 between the first side 21 and the secondside 22. The slot 24 can include a width and a length that are constantthroughout the twist body 20 between the first and second sides 21, 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the twist body 20 re-orients a first section28 of the riser 30 between the twist body 20 and the link 40. A secondsection 29 of the riser 30 between the harness 13 and the twist body 20remains in a high profile orientation. The first section 28 includes alow profile orientation as one of the edges 33, 34 faces in thedirection of travel. The width of the first section 28 is smaller thanthe width of a second section 29 thus reducing the amount of drag. Thesmaller width is a result of the leading edge of the first section 28being smaller than that of the second section 29.

The twist body 20 can orient the riser 30 to a low profile to reduce thedrag. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the riser 30 can be oriented such thata longitudinal axis L of the riser 30 is parallel with the direction oftravel A. This orientation positions one of the edges 33, 34 directlyforward and provides for the riser 30 to have an effective width Z thatis equal to the leading edge 33. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the twistbody 20 can also orient the riser 30 such that the longitudinal axis Lis not parallel with the direction of travel A (i.e., one of the edges33, 34 does not face directly forward). This orientation provides forthe effective width Z to still be smaller than if the riser 30 wereperpendicular to the direction of travel which can occur along thesecond section 29 (e.g., FIG. 5).

The links 40 secure the risers 30 to the suspension lines 12. FIG. 7includes a link 40 configured to attach a riser 30 that is in alow-profile orientation to the suspension lines 12 in a side-by-sideconfiguration. This link 40 can be used to secure the front risers 30 tothe corresponding suspension lines 12. The link 40 includes a slot 41with an elongated shape configured to receive the riser 30. Holes 42, 43are configured to secure the link 40 to the suspension lines 12 asillustrated in FIG. 12. One configuration includes the holes 42, 43sized to receive a connector 70, such as a soft link (Slink), to securethe suspension lines 12. One configuration of the connector 70 is a PDmain canopy single slink available from Performance Designs of Deland,Fla., United States. The link 40 can also include a separate hole 44 tosecure an input device 90 such as an input loop (see FIG. 12) for theuser to control the flight of the parachute 10.

The slot 41 can have a rectangular sectional shape to receive the riser30. The hole 42 can have a rectangular sectional shape to receive theconnector 70. The slot 41 and hole 42 can include corners. The hole 43can include a non-rectangular sectional shape.

The links 40 can include a flattened shape with opposing first andsecond sides 45, 46. The sides 45, 46 can be flat with rounded edges atthe sidewalls 47. A thickness T of the links 40 is measured between thefirst and second sides 45, 46. The flattened shape of the links 40includes the thickness T being less than the width W measured betweenopposing sidewalls 47. A straight line Q extends through a midpoint ofeach of the slot 41 and openings 42, 43. The line Q can be positioned onthe link 40 at a point having the largest width W.

The links 40 are configured to be positioned in a low-profileorientation during use as illustrated in FIG. 12. The slot 41 with theattached riser 30 is positioned downward below the holes 42, 43 thatreceive the connector 70. The connector 70 extends through hole 43 andconnects to the suspension lines 12 at a point above the link 40. A tail71 of the soft link 70 is positioned in the hole 42. The shape of thehole 42 can include a rectangular cross-section that matches the shapeof the tail 71. The corresponding shapes provide for the tail 71 to besecured in the link 40 and prevent movement during use of the parachute10.

The link 40 is configured to maintain the riser 30 in the low profileorientation relative to the direction of travel A. FIG. 12 includes alink 40 being used with a parachute with a direction of travel A. Thelink is oriented with the narrow sidewall 47 facing in the direction oftravel. This reduces the drag on the parachute 10. The wider first andsecond sides 45, 46 are oriented transverse to the direction of travelA. The link 40 connects the riser 30 to the suspension lines 12 whilemaintaining the riser 30 in the low-profile orientation. As furtherillustrated, the hole 44 is positioned to receive an input device 90such as an input loop.

In one design as illustrated in FIG. 12, the link 40 is aligned with end88 facing in the direction of travel A. The end 88 is in proximity tothe input device 90 and the hole 40. In another design (notillustrated), the link 40 is oriented with the end 89 facing in thedirection of travel A. The hole 40 with the input device 90 ispositioned at a rear of the link 40.

FIG. 8 illustrates another link 40 to secure a riser 30 to thesuspension lines 12. The link 40 includes a slot 41 to receive the riser30. Holes 42, 43 are configured to secure the link 40 to the suspensionlines 12. One configuration includes the holes 42, 43 configured toreceive a connector 70, such as a soft link (Slink), to secure thesuspension lines 12 (see FIG. 12). In one design, the link 40 of FIG. 8is used to secure the rear risers 30 and the link 40 of FIG. 7 is usedto secure the front risers 40.

In one design as illustrated in FIG. 8, the slot 41 includes a majoraxis M. The link 40 comprises a centerline R. The major axis M isperpendicular to the centerline R. Further, the line Q that extendsthrough the midpoint of the slot 41 and holes 42, 43 can be located onthe link 40 at the largest width.

FIG. 9 illustrates a device to orient risers 30. A twist body 20 ispositioned along the risers 30. The twist body 20 changes theorientation of the risers 30 between the first section 28 that extendsto the links 40 and a second section 29 that is configured through aring assembly 51 to be connected to a harness 13 (not illustrated inFIG. 9). The twist body 20 is positioned in proximity to the end of therisers 30 that attaches to the harness 13. This provides for a longerfirst section 28 and shorter second section 29 thus reducing drag over alonger length of the risers 30. The links 40 are secured to the ends ofeach of the risers 30 to maintain the first sections 28 in the lowprofile orientation.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of orienting risers of a parachute. Themethod includes inserting a riser 30 through a twist body 20 (block100). The riser 30 includes a first orientation between a harness 13 andthe twist body 20 with a high profile in a direction of travel (block105). The riser 30 also includes a second orientation between the twistbody 20 and a link 40 with a low profile in the direction of travel(block 110). The riser 30 is attached to suspension lines 12 thatextends from a canopy 11 of the parachute 10 (block 115). A link 30 canbe used to attach the riser 30 to the suspension lines 12.

Another method is directed to attaching a riser 30 to suspension lines12. The method includes attaching the riser 30 in a slot 41 in a link 40with the riser 30 extending outward from a bottom of the link 40 andwith each of the riser 30 and the link 40 being in low profileorientation with narrow leading edges facing into a direction of traveland wide sides facing transverse to the direction of travel. A connector70 is attached to a first hole 43 in the link 40 with the connector 70positioned at a top of the link 40. The connector 70 is secured to thesuspension lines 12 of the parachute 10. The tail of the connector 70can be inserted in a second hole 42 in the link 40.

One design includes a twist body 20 positioned along each riser 30.Other designs can include twist bodies 20 positioned along a limitednumber of the risers 30. In designs with multiple twist bodies 20, theslots 24 can include the same or different amounts of twist. One designincludes each of the twist bodies 20 being the same with the same amountof twist in the slots 24.

The twist body 20 can be used with a variety of different links 40.Other links 40 include but are not limited to various hard and soft linkconfigurations.

The parachute 10 can be used in a variety of different contexts,including with a person as illustrated in FIG. 2 and with objects asillustrated in FIG. 1.

Another design includes a device with just a link 40 positioned alongone or more of the risers 30. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the links 40provide for connecting the risers 30 that are in a particularorientation to the suspension lines 12. The orientation of the risers 30can be adjusted by the connection with the harness 13, the payload, orsome other means. The links 40 can be positioned along one or more ofthe risers 30, including along each of the risers 30 as illustrated inFIG. 11. The links 40 can include those as illustrated in FIG. 7, thosein FIG. 8, and a combination of different links 40.

Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain thepositioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in additionto different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further,terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describevarious elements, regions, sections, etc. and are also not intended tobe limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout thedescription.

As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”,“comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate thepresence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additionalelements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways thanthose herein set forth without departing from the scope and essentialcharacteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of attaching a riser to suspension linesof a parachute, the method comprising: attaching a riser in a slot in alink with the riser extending outward from a bottom of the link witheach of the riser and the link being in low profile orientation withnarrow leading edges facing into a direction of travel and wide sidesfacing transverse to the direction of travel; attaching a connector to afirst hole in the link with the connector positioned at a top of thelink, the connector being secured to the suspension lines of theparachute; and inserting a tail of the connector in a second hole in thelink.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting the tail ofthe connector in the second hole in the link with the second holepositioned directly between the slot and the first hole.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising attaching an input device to an inputhole in the link, with the input hole being positioned closer towards aleading edge of the link than the slot.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising attaching each of the riser, the connector, and theend of the connector in a straight line along the link.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising positioning the leading edge of the linkdirectly into the direction of travel.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising positioning a section of the riser that is spaced away fromthe link in a high profile orientation.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising attaching the riser in the slot in the link andcontacting the riser against corners in the slot.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising attaching each of the riser, the connector, andthe end of the connector to the link at a widest section of the link.